Wedoany.com Report on Feb 28th, Ericsson recently successfully conducted a live demonstration of the world's first pre-standard 6G over-the-air (OTA) session at its headquarters in Plano, Texas, USA. This trial showcased the ability to achieve AI robot control and real-time video streaming in the centimeter-wave frequency band, marking substantial progress in early 6G system validation.
Technical Breakthrough: 7GHz Spectrum + 400MHz Bandwidth, Validating AI-Native Network Architecture
This 6G field trial utilized 7GHz spectrum and a 400MHz carrier bandwidth, based on a specially designed pre-standard 6G technology stack that is AI-native and cloud-native. The demonstration integrated Ericsson's radio equipment, RAN compute platform, software-defined air interface, and cloud infrastructure capable of running on CPUs and GPUs. Engineers focused on optimizing uplink performance, energy efficiency, and spectrum utilization—key aspects crucial for AI-driven workloads such as robot control, autonomous systems, and immersive applications.
Ericsson noted that this OTA session validated critical 6G building blocks at the system level, laying the groundwork for future commercial deployment. By natively integrating AI capabilities into the network architecture, 6G is expected to achieve a leap from a "connectivity pipeline" to an "intelligent service platform."
US Footprint: 12 R&D Centers + Smart Factory, Rooting 6G Technology Locally
Ericsson linked this 6G field trial with its long-term investment strategy in the United States. Currently, Ericsson employs over 6,000 people in the US and operates 12 R&D centers focusing on AI, ASIC design, and antenna systems. Its smart factory in Louisville, with an investment exceeding $150 million, produces 5G radio equipment and RAN compute systems, supporting over 550 manufacturing jobs. As 6G technology develops, Ericsson plans to expand production to next-generation equipment.
Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson, stated: "Completing this world-first 6G field trial in the US is a concrete proof point that advanced wireless innovation, manufacturing, and research are rooted here—supporting US leadership in next-generation connectivity."
Industry Race: AI-Native and Spectrum Strategy Become Focal Points of 6G Competition
Ericsson's early 6G OTA validation aligns with the global competitive trend in AI-native network architecture and spectrum strategy. In recent years, Ericsson has continued to strengthen its investments in cloud-native RAN and US domestic manufacturing, while competitors like Nokia and Samsung are also accelerating 6G research projects related to 3GPP standardization. The industry widely anticipates that 6G standardization work will be completed around 2030, with AI-driven network automation, integrated sensing and communication, and ultimate performance experience becoming the core evolution directions.
This successful demonstration not only validated the feasibility of key 6G technology paths but also further solidified Ericsson's leading position in the research and development of next-generation wireless communication technologies.
